Pair of Vases Flanking Bandstand

The pair of large marble vases flanking the bandstand in Royal Victoria Park were formerly listed under Victoria Park. These vases are made of Carrara marble and are set within Portland stone aedicules. Each vase features carved laurel wreaths with ribbon ties at the base, encircling the letter 'J' on the southern face. The bases of the vases and the looped handles on each side are adorned with acanthus leaf carvings. Each vase stands on a block base atop a plain solid stone plinth, which is set within an aedicule that has simplified columns at each corner, supporting a canopy with a block top, a coved cornice, and an inscribed frieze.

Historically, the inscription on the vases states: "These vases, the gift of Napoleon Buonaparte to the Empress Josephine (1805), were brought from France after the Peninsular War by Colonel Page and bequeathed by the will of Joseph Fuller Esq. of 19 Lansdown Crescent (1874) to the Royal Victoria Park. They were restored and protected by Captain Huth (1914)." These vases, possibly designed by Percier and Fontaine, were likely produced at the Carrara marble manufactory and have a remarkable provenance. They have recently undergone conservation, particularly to the handles. Victoria Park was established in 1830 on the former Barton Fields, an area of common land, and was officially opened by the Duchess of Kent with her daughter, Princess Victoria, on October 23rd, 1830, making it the country's first municipal park.